Senior Education Law Counsel — Higher Education

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP in the UK seeks a Senior Associate specialising in education law to deliver strategic advice to universities, colleges and educational charities on governance, safeguarding, student matters and data protection.

This role involves leading regulatory guidance, handling high-profile disputes, and supporting leadership teams, with a 50% hybrid pattern across our UK offices.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years of post-qualification experience.
• SRA qualified (or other relevant qualification).
• Proven track record advising higher education institutions, colleges, or other educational organisations.
• Strong expertise in governance, investigations, student matters, and data protection.
• Experience handling sensitive and high-profile matters involving senior stakeholders.
• Strong commercial judgement and risk-management capability.
• Can commute into the office 50% of the time (50% hybrid working).

Responsibilities

• Support institutions in navigating regulatory and governance obligations affecting the education sector.
• Advising international pathway providers on their arrangements with universities and OfS registration.
• Safeguarding challenges and related litigation.
• Data protection work including FOI, data breaches and data sharing.
• Advice around Freedom of Speech / No platforming and related litigation.
• Litigation from students as consumers.
• Regulatory advice on education sector mergers and acquisitions including insolvencies.
• Advise educational institutions and charities on safeguarding obligations and investigations.
• Support leadership teams in responding to safeguarding concerns involving staff, students, and volunteers.
• Contribute to sector thought leadership and client engagement initiatives.

Skills

Governance

Data protection

Student matters

High-profile litigation

Commercial judgement

Hybrid working

Education

6+ years PQE

SRA qualified

Job description

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP in the UK seeks a Senior Associate specialising in education law to deliver strategic advice to universities, colleges and educational charities on governance, safeguarding, student matters and data protection.

This role involves leading regulatory guidance, handling high-profile disputes, and supporting leadership teams, with a 50% hybrid pattern across our UK offices.